Woman at Her Toilette

Fontainbleau, the famous French royal residence, was the site of great artistic activity in the
mid-sixteenth century during the rule of Francis I. Developed at this court and nearly unique to
it was the concept of a boudoir portrait, depicting the sitter in intimate circumstances. The
Worcester panel has been connected specifically with François Clouet (about 1510-72), who
served as court painter at Fontainbleau under both Francis I and Charles IV. Clouet was
greatly influenced by Italian Mannerist portraiture with its emphasis on refined elegance and a
great clarity and precision of draftsmanship.

The subject of this work- identified variously as Diane de Poitiers, Mary, Queen of Scots, and
other figures of royalty- remains unconfirmed. Several variants of this composition exist,
supporting the theory that a famous prototype must have been their common inspiration.